Just days before the start of the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), several teams have been forced into last-minute changes following the withdrawal of key overseas players. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have both suffered setbacks after experienced Australian all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland pulled out of WPL 2026, citing personal reasons.

The WPL 2026 season is set to begin on January 9, with franchises finalising squads amid growing logistical and international commitments. Perry’s absence is a significant blow for defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, given her vast experience and match-winning abilities across formats. To fill the void, RCB have named Indian all-rounder Sayali Satghare as her replacement.

Satghare, who represents Mumbai in domestic cricket, joins RCB at her reserve price of ₹30 lakh. She has previously been part of the Gujarat Giants setup and brings domestic experience that RCB hope will strengthen their squad depth ahead of a demanding season.

Delhi Capitals, three-time finalists in the competition, have also been impacted by Annabel Sutherland’s withdrawal. The franchise has moved swiftly to rope in fellow Australian Alana King as her replacement. King, a seasoned leg-spinner, has played 27 T20 Internationals for Australia and has claimed 27 wickets at the international level.

King previously represented UP Warriorz and joins Delhi Capitals at a reserve price of ₹60 lakh. Her inclusion is expected to bolster DC’s bowling attack as they aim to go one step further after narrowly missing out on the title in previous editions.

Meanwhile, UP Warriorz will be without left-arm medium pacer Tara Norris for the upcoming season. Norris has been selected to represent the United States national team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to be held in Nepal from January 18 to February 1, 2026. Due to overlapping commitments, she will be unavailable for the WPL.

To replace Norris, UP Warriorz have signed uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott at a reserve price of ₹10 lakh. Knott is seen as a promising young talent and will be keen to make an impression on the big stage.

The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League will run from January 9 to February 5, 2026, with matches hosted at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara. The opening match will be played at DY Patil Stadium, while the final is scheduled to take place in Vadodara on February 5.

Two-time champions Mumbai Indians Women will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening clash of WPL 2026, setting the tone for what promises to be another competitive season despite the late squad reshuffles.